The United Nations(UN)’s International Mother Earth Day is observed annually across the globe on 22nd April. It is also called Earth Day. The day aims to create awareness about the deteriorating environment, to protect the people’s livelihood and to stop the biodiversity decline.
- The theme of the Earth Day 2021 is “Restore Our Earth”.
- The 22nd April 2021 marks the celebration of the 51st Earth Day.
Background:
i.In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honour the Earth.
ii.The day has been observed as the Earth Day since 1970 by the EARTHDAY.ORG in more than 190 countries.
iii.Earth Day was officially renamed to International Mother Earth Day in 2009.
iv.On 22nd April 2009, The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/63/278 and proclaimed the 22nd April of every year as the International Mother Earth Day.
Why April 22?
April 22nd, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the beginning of the modern Environmental Movement in 1970.
UN Observance:
i.The UN observes the International Mother Earth Day through the Harmony with Nature initiative, a platform for global sustainable development.
ii.The initiative annually celebrates an Interactive dialogue on the International Mother Earth Day.
Climate Change on Zoonotic diseases:
i.Climate change and other man made changes on nature like deforestation, change in land use, intensified agriculture and illegal trade of wildlife lead to increase the chances of transmission of zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases from animals to humans.
ii.According to the UN Environment, around 75% of the emerging diseases in humans originate from animals.
